At least a dozen large explosions, followed by rocket fire and automatic gunfire, struck Kabul on Sunday in what appears to be a coordinated attack on the diplomatic area and the NATO base. The Taliban says it’s behind the offensive.
Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed multiple attacks on seven locations across Kabul but gave no details on the casualties.
A parliamentary spokesman told Reuters that rockets were fired at Afghanistan’s parliament and Russian embassy buildings. Russian diplomats later denied the embassy was under fire.
Several attackers have attempted to enter the Afghan parliament in Kabul, a local official said. They were driven back by security forces and had taken cover in the nearby building.
Residents across the city also reported explosions near the parliament building.
A witness says a rocket-propelled grenade hit the residence of the British ambassador in Kabul.
Suicide bombers are said to have taken over a Kabul hotel known to be used by foreigners, launching rocket and rifle fire.
Smoke is billowing from the direction of the German embassy and several other buildings, while sirens could be heard throughout the neighbourhood.
Taliban claim armed suicide bombers also launched an attack on NATO headquarters.
A Turkish military base on the outskirts of Kabul is reported to have come under mortar attack. Turkish and Greek forces responded with heavy-caliber machine gunfire.
Police say at least one attacker was killed during in insurgency, Al Arabiya reports.
Four suicide bombers attempted to attack Jalalabad airport in eastern Afghanistan – an airfield where US troops are based, US airfield commander said.
The Taliban declared attacks also took place in eastern Paktia and Logar provinces and claimed they had attacked a police training base in eastern Afghanistan.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has threatened the attacks are “the beginning of insurgent spring offensive.”
An Afghan National Army soldier keeps watch near the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) as a NATO helicopter flies over the site of an attack in Jalalabad province April 15, 2012. (Reuters / Parwiz)
Afghan police head to the scene of an attack in Kabul (AFP Photo / Jonannes Eisele)
AFP Photo / Jonannes Eisele
Reuters / Omar Sobhani
A Afghan National Army soldier runs near the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) as smoke rises from the site of an attack in Jalalabad province April 15, 2012 (Reuters / Parwiz)
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